Best Cozi Alternative 2026: Why Families Are Switching

If you're reading this, you're probably frustrated with Cozi.

Maybe you've been using Cozi for years. Maybe you just hit the 30-day limit on the free tier and discovered you can't see next month's schedule without paying.

You're not alone. Since Cozi's May 2024 paywall change, millions of families have been searching for alternatives.

Here's the good news: There are better options now—including some that do things Cozi never could. (If you're still deciding between Cozi and Google Calendar, read our Cozi vs Google Calendar comparison first.)

Why Families Are Leaving Cozi

The 30-Day Limit

In May 2024, Cozi restricted free users to only 30 days of calendar access. Want to see your kid's schedule next month? Pay $40/year for Gold, or $60/year for Max with AI features.

For families who'd used Cozi free for a decade, this felt like a betrayal.

Read-Only Google Sync

Cozi only syncs one direction with Google Calendar. You can see Cozi events in Google, but not the other way around. This frustrates families who use Google Calendar for work.

No Innovation

While other apps added AI features, Cozi stayed the same. The interface looks like 2015. There's no photo-to-calendar feature. No modern conveniences.

Trustpilot Tells the Story

Cozi's Trustpilot rating dropped to 2.1 stars after the paywall change. Reviews mention feeling "scammed" and "held hostage."

The Best Cozi Alternatives in 2026

1. Calendara — Best Overall Cozi Alternative

Why it's #1: Calendara does something Cozi can't—AI photo extraction. Snap a photo of any school flyer, and events appear automatically. No typing.

Key advantages over Cozi:

Feature	Calendara	Cozi
Photo-to-calendar AI	✅	⚠️ Email-only (Max, $60/yr)
Google Calendar sync	Two-way	Read-only
Free tier limit	Generous	30 days
Price	$2.99/month	$40/year (Gold) / $60/year (Max)
Interface	Modern	Dated

Best for: Parents drowning in school flyers who want the fastest way to get events into their calendar.

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2. TimeTree — Best Free Option

Why consider it: TimeTree is completely free for core features (with ads). Good for families on a tight budget.

Compared to Cozi:

• Free tier is actually free (no 30-day limit)
• Event comments and chat features
• Cross-platform support

Compared to Calendara:

• No AI photo extraction
• Has ads on free tier
• Interface can feel cluttered

Best for: Families who want free and don't mind ads.

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3. FamilyWall — Best for Location Tracking

Why consider it: If you want location tracking bundled with your family calendar, FamilyWall is the most comprehensive option.

Compared to Cozi:

• Location sharing and check-ins
• Secure document storage
• More family features overall

Compared to Calendara:

• No AI photo extraction
• Can feel overwhelming (too many features)
• Calendar sync requires premium

Best for: Families who want location tracking + calendar in one app.

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4. Google Calendar — Best if You're Already Google-Heavy

Why consider it: It's free, reliable, and you probably already have it.

Compared to Cozi:

• Completely free
• Better reliability
• Works with all Google services

Compared to Calendara:

• No AI photo extraction
• Not designed for families
• Sharing setup is confusing

Best for: Tech-savvy families already in the Google ecosystem.

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Detailed Comparison: Calendara vs Cozi

Let's go deeper on the most common switch.

Photo Extraction: The Game-Changer

Cozi: You type every event manually. School calendar with 40 events? That's 2+ hours of work.

Calendara: Snap a photo of the school calendar. AI extracts all 40 events in 30 seconds. Review and save. (See our full photo to Google Calendar guide for step-by-step instructions.)

This single feature saves parents 10+ hours per month.

Google Calendar Sync

Cozi: Read-only sync. Cozi events appear in Google Calendar, but Google events don't appear in Cozi.

Calendara: Two-way sync. Family events and work events in one view. Changes sync both directions.

Pricing Philosophy

Cozi: Free for years, then sudden paywall. 30-day limit forces payment. Gold at $40/year, Max at $60/year.

Calendara: Transparent pricing from day one. Generous free tier without artificial limits. Pro tier at $2.99/month (competitive with Cozi's $40-60/year).

What Cozi Does Better (For Now)

Let's be fair:

• Shopping lists: Cozi has them, Calendara doesn't (yet)
• Recipe storage: Cozi has it, Calendara doesn't
• Established ecosystem: Cozi has been around 15+ years

If shopping lists are essential and you don't mind the pricing, Cozi still works. But if calendar management is your pain point, Calendara solves it better.

Making the Switch: Cozi to Calendara

Option 1: Start Fresh

Just start using Calendara for new events. Snap photos of incoming schedules, let AI extract events. Fastest way to get started.

Option 2: Export and Import

1. Export your Cozi calendar (Cozi allows this)
2. Import to Calendara or Google Calendar
3. Connect Calendara to Google for two-way sync

Option 3: Gradual Transition

Use both for a month. Add new events to Calendara. See which you prefer. Then commit.

What Former Cozi Users Say

"The photo extraction alone makes Calendara worth it. I uploaded my kid's school calendar and had all 45 events in my calendar in 2 minutes. That used to take me an entire evening with Cozi."

"Finally, two-way Google sync. I can see my work calendar and family calendar together without jumping between apps."

"I used Cozi for 8 years. The 30-day limit was the last straw. Calendara is what Cozi should have become."

The Bottom Line

Cozi is still a functional family calendar, but it hasn't innovated and the pricing change frustrated loyal users.

Calendara is the best Cozi alternative for families who want modern features—especially the AI photo extraction that eliminates manual typing.

TimeTree is the best free alternative if you can tolerate ads.

Google Calendar works if you're already heavily invested in Google.

Try the Best Cozi Alternative Free

The fastest way to know if Calendara is right for your family:

1. Take a photo of your current school calendar or any schedule
2. Upload to Calendara
3. Watch AI extract all events in 30 seconds
4. Share with your family

If that saves you time, you've found your Cozi replacement.

Related Guides

• Cozi vs Google Calendar for Families — Head-to-head comparison of both options (and a third that beats them)
• Cozi Pricing 2026: Is Gold or Max Worth It? — Full breakdown of what each Cozi tier costs and what you actually get
• Photo to Google Calendar — Step-by-step guide to turning any photo into calendar events
• 7 Best Family Calendar Apps in 2026 — Every major family calendar app tested and ranked

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Switching from Cozi and need help? Email gustavo@usecalendara.com - I'll personally help you migrate.